Online Dating Dangers

Online Dating Dangers

They profess their love to you, but in reality, they’re preying on your pocketbook. Financial fraud is one of the dangers of dating on the Internet.

Audio Transcript

Mollie Halpern: They profess their love to you, but in reality, they’re preying on your pocketbook. Financial fraud is one of the dangers of dating on the Internet.

Nickolas B. Savage: There are quite a number of individuals that are being victimized. Overwhelmingly, they tend to be women.

Halpern: I’m Mollie Halpern of the Bureau, and this is FBI, This Week. So-called sweetheart scammers seduce those looking for love on singles sites. Victims believe they’re in a relationship, but their suitor is actually a scammer who breaks hearts—and bank accounts. Nickolas Savage is the assistant section chief of the Cyber Division.

Savage: If somebody is asking you for money, just be very cautious. Chances are it’s a scam.

Halpern: The average financial loss per victim is between $15,000 to $20,000. Savage recommends…

Savage: I think the most important take-away is that people should stick to legitimate sites. They should stick to larger companies that have a reputation.

Halpern: If you’re a victim of a romance scheme, contact the FBI at the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.